Iron/lithium-promoted catalysts for the production of maleic anhydride and a process for the preparation thereof

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Catalysts useful for the partial oxidation of nonaromatic hydrocarbons, particularly n-butane with molecular oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the vapor phase to produce maleic anhydride are provided which comprise phosphorus, vanadium and, oxygen and a promoter component containing each of iron and lithium. Such catalysts are prepared by contacting a substantially tetravalent vanadiumcontaining compound and a phosphorus-containing compound and a promoter component containing each of iron and lithium in a substantially anhydrous alcohol medium in the presence of anhydrous hydrogen chloride to form an iron/lithium promoted phosphorus-vanadiumoxygen catalyst precursor. The catalyst …